Trial Underway of Fairfield Man Charged With Killing Police Officer

Testimony is underway at the Solano County Superior Court trial of a Fairfield man charged with killing an on-duty Vallejo police officer.

Henry Albert Smith Jr., 41, faces the death penalty or life in prison without parole for the shooting murder of Officer James Capoot, of Vacaville, on Nov. 17, 2011.

Smith was a suspected of robbing the Bank of America on Springs Road in Vallejo around 1:30 p.m.

Capoot, 44, a 19-year veteran on the Vallejo police force, pursued Smith’s GMC Denali in his patrol car then chased Smith on foot to a yard at a residence in the 100 block of Janice Street in Vallejo. Smith allegedly fired three shots, striking Capoot, who was wearing body armor.

Capoot died of his injuries at a hospital, and an estimated 4,000 people attended his funeral on Nov. 30.

The Solano County District Attorney’s Office charged Smith with murdering a police officer while on duty, during a commission of a crime, to avoid a lawful arrest and while lying in wait. After a lengthy jury selection process, attorneys gave their opening statements to the jury Tuesday.

The trial is before Judge Peter B. Foor.

--Bay City News/Shutterstock image

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